Meningitis and encephalitis have erupted in
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. Also, encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis.
Encephalitis has been on the increase among Vanni Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) held in internment centres located in Vavuniyaa, according to medical sources in the district hospital. Thirty-four Vanni IDPs of the sixty-four afflicted by encephalitis have died in three months. Majority of them who succumbed to brain fever were less than 24 years of age, medical sources said.
Over the past week 14 new encephalitis cases were detected in the hospital.
Vavuniya-based United Nations staff providing relief services to the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have been advised to keep away from the
The UN warning to staff came amidst reports that hospital employees at Vavuniya had failed to inform authorities of the outbreak, the Sunday Times reported.
Dr. Hemantha Herath, Health Coordinator of the IDP camps, told the newspaper, “It is only now that we are getting a regular feedback from the hospital. They have not done in-depth investigations into these cases.”
A team sent by the Health Ministry is studying the causes for the outbreak of these diseases.
Meanwhile, according to a World Health Organization report, diarrhoea and hepatitis A are still prevalent in some of the IDP camps.
Dr. Herath said the number of cases of diarrhoea and hepatitis A was not going down and they were closely monitoring the situation.
According to the report, health care, water distribution and supply of food items still need more attention. The report has warned of the effect the approaching rainy season might have on the camps, especially in low-lying areas. It has called for an improved drainage system and shelters before the rainy season begins.
The paper also reported that there is a shortage of complementary food items in the camps as NGOs which were supplying such items are pulling out.
The report said there is not enough suitable land to build more toilets. The camps currently have only about 9,215 toilets while 15,000 are needed.
In June, chicken pox was rampant and cases of typhoid, tuberculosis, skin and respiratory infections, hepatitis A, scabies and diarrhoea have begun cropping up, according to U.N. reports.
